The Oregon Economic Development Foundation is cautioning its members to beware of an individual who is contacting businesses claiming to be conducting a survey for the city.

Gary Thompson, executive director of the Foundation, sent e-mails out to members this week, saying the individual is asking detailed business questions.

“Please be informed that the City of Oregon is not conducting any kind of survey, nor do they have anyone soliciting area businesses. If you receive this call, please handle it appropriately according to your own procedures understanding that the person on the other end of the phone is not from the City of Oregon,” states the e-mail.

Thompson told The Press that the city had contacted him to ask that he send out the e-mails to Foundation members.

The city received a complaint from a local businessman who had received a call from someone identifying themselves as “Keith” who claimed to be conducting a survey for the city. The man asked how many employees were in the business, and wanted to know its annual payroll. When the businessman asked Keith his last name, he hung up the phone.

The State Fire Marshal has ruled a fire at the Stony Ridge Inn, Latcha Road, was caused by arson and is asking for more information about the blaze from the public.

Investigators were able to rule out all accidental causes for the fire, which was reported about 5:47 a.m. on Feb. 17, and found significant evidence the fire was intentionally set. The fire marshal’s office said “specific information” about the fire was also gathered during interviews over the two days following the fire.

Now, investigators are asking for other witnesses to come forward and a Blue Ribbon Arson Award notice has been posted at the property. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of those responsible.

No one was seriously injured in the fire, which caused heavy damage to the restaurant and bar of the inn. The nearby hotel wasn’t affected.

“Working together, investigators from all of the involved agencies have been able to put together a clear picture of what occurred Wednesday morning at the Stony Ridge Inn,” said Tim Spradlin, Chief of the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau. “We believe, though, someone still has more information about the case and we hope they will come forward.”

Two injury accidents occurred last Tuesday within a 20 minute period and just a

half mile from each other on I-75.

The Northwood Police and Fire departments responded to the first accident, an injury crash involving seven vehicles at northbound I-75 between Wales Road and Miami Street at 2:12 p.m.

A silver Kia traveling north on the inside lane lost control when its tires got caught up in the snow that was along the center median wall, according to police.

The Kia, driven by 19-year-old Keith Logue, spun out and was facing south in the northbound lane, which caused a chain reaction leading four more northbound vehicles to crash. An additional vehicle lost control but did not sustain any damage. Another vehicle involved was not identified because it fled the scene, said police.